Quality of Euro Arms vs Armi Sport imports from Dixie?

[Josh Maloley]

I have rid myself of inlines! I'm ready to make a jump back in time and embrace traditional muzzle loading. I'd like to go with something larger than .50 Cal.

I'd like something with a military background.

I've been looking at Springfields, Enfields, Mausers (all rifles that I own more modern versions of), but the Remington Zouave rifles have cought my eye. Dixie has them on sale from Euro Arms @ $525, and Armi Sport for $575.

Is there a big difference in quality?

 

[ozark57]

Might check out Lymans Zouave. I have one and it is real nice!

 

[wulf]

I can't make that choice for you but I will tell
you that I love my Zoo [Navy arms] and have used
it in compitition matches for 20 years and I always score high..for my eyes and years thats
d..n good.

 

[Zonie]

Looking at my 1009 Dixie catalog tells me the following about the Zouaves they are selling.

Please check to see if you listed the prices correctly in your post because that catalog says the Armi Sport is less expensive than the Euro Arms (which is as I expected it to be).

The less expensive Armi Sport ($550) has a "Select hardwood" stock and the muzzle of the barrel is slightly thicker than the Euro Arms (.173 Armi Sport vs .143 Euro Arms).

In the catalog Dixie calls this gun the "DIXIE MODEL 1863 ZOUAVE RIFLE"

The Euro Arms ($640) stock is European Walnut and this gun is N/SSA approved.
This approval signifies that the gun is historically close to the original gun as it was made by Remington and is acceptable for use in re-enactments.

Perhaps this doesn't mean it should cost more but to some folks it would.

In the catalog Dixie calls this gun a "DIXIE ZOUAVE RIFLE"

I'm sure both rifles will give good service as both companies have fairly good reputations.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Looking at my 1009 Dixie catalog tells me the following about the Zouaves they are selling.

Dang, Zonie....I didn't think you were that old :rotf: :rotf:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Obviously an out dated catalog, some of us keep those Dixie catalogs for years and years but I thought I had one of the first in 1958. :grin:

 

[poordevil]

I have the Armisport 1842 musket, Rifled. I got from S&S out of New York for about 100 bucks less than Dixie. Maybe look at them as they have the Zouv@(@*@@% from Euro and Armi and will be less$$

P

Also on gun broker I see a couple for 300 and one is an early Navy Arms Carbine version with a 22 " barrel

 

[Trot]

The Regimental Quartermaster has the Euroarms listed for $445.

 

[badpenny]

I've owned and shot both,I prefer armi-sport.Take a look at the 2 band enfield

 

[Josh Maloley]

Are there any imports that are best to be avioded?
Are any of these euro-eye-tailyon componies known for spotty quality?

Converserly, who has the best reputations?
I already know that Pedersoli is about the tops, and that Lyman and TC are a good bang for the buck, but are there any other companies that I can blindly trust not to put out a shoddy product?

PS - I know that Dixie might not have the lowest price, but they do list a wide range of models. Once I settle on a model, I'll shop it around for the best price.

I wish that I could swing the money for a real monster like the Pedersoli Gibbs African Hunter - it's not military, but it's got style. - JM.

 

[tg]

Glad to see you enter the world of real ML shooting, I hope you can find what you are looking for,I don't know squat about post 1800 military guns but others here will steer you in the right direction.Enjoy the journey.

 

[Lorne Johnson]

Just a note:

The Pedersoli Gibbs guns do not come with ramrod lugs. Understandable in the target version, but I guess your bearer has to carry the breakdown rod in his pack for you (Safari after all).

I would put in a good word for Richard Beauchamp (Flintlocksetc.com) if you're looking at Pedersoli, he really knows those guns, and has a considerable stock of them. And some good deals.
Getting a lower price from the big box ended up costing me a bundle on the SxS shotgun. He helped me out considerably after that mistake.

 

[Naphtali]

I know zip about Euro-Arms. I have owned an Armi Sport .54-caliber Sharps percussion carbine, circa 1990s. I speak ONLY of their Sharps reproductions. Fit of wood to metal was budget priced. Quality of metal fit and finish was budget priced. Quality of materials? -- I doubt it would remain tight for 2000 rounds. I sold the carbine within a matter of months.

In the universe of 1874 Sharps reproduction guns, Armi Sport has a reputation of being among the lowest quality available. How does this collective evaluation translate to a generalized overall quality? Dunno.

Hope this helps.

 

[hanshi]

I once owned a Zouave from Navy Arms and thoroughly enjoyed it for years. I now have a US M1841 "Mississippi" rifle from Euroarms and fit, finish and accuracy are worthy of a custom gun. It's HA and beautiful with it's walnut stock. Check Jarnigan's in Mississippi. I bought mine several years ago for about 40% less than DGW charges. Jarnigan's also carries Zouaves & Springfields at good prices as well.

 

[poordevil]

S&S Firearms in Glendale NY 718-497-1100 Euroarms Zouave $442.00 Not a bad price. (2009 catalog)1841 Miss. $540.00

I got my 1842 Musket Rifled from them and it is exallent

P